Sophisticated September Releases~

Ready for yet another month of books? 
Let's see what new exciting books are being released this month, shall we? :)

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: September 2nd, 2014

Thoughts: I have read the first book, but not the second one. This is definitely a great series with a kickass protagonist. I'm not really sure if this is the last one in the series or there's going to be more. I"ll find that out later. LOL. Or if any of you would like to leave a comment to let me know, go ahead! After reading the first one, I wasn't absolutely IN LOVE with it like a lot of other people. Maybe be because I skim read it. But I would definitely be reading the second in the series if I have extra time. I mean, who doesn't love some romance and a girl protagonist assassin? That's almost impossible! :)

The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1)

by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

Release Date: September 9th, 2014

Thoughts: Woah. Holly Black and Cassie Clare! What even! Well, the only Holly Black series I read was Black Cat, because it was a book club thing. I thought it was alright. But I read almost all of Cassie Clare's series. Like The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. Totally love that series! Historical fiction lovers!!! Who like a little bit of magic. AND HOT GUYS! Read the Infernal Devices! :) IF you haven't already. Although this one is a middle grade read, I might check it out if I've got time, unless it gets super ravings, then I guess I gotta check it out. ;D

Tagline: A riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.

I'll Give You the Sun 

by Jandy Nelson

Release Date: September 16th, 2014

Thoughts: I absolutely loved Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere. It was cute! Although I kind of forgot what it was about since I read it like so long ago. This new story of hers is definitely a must read. The beginning, middle grade part, I'm not that interested in. I do like the twin idea though. :) I'm really looking forward to seeing them growing up as teenagers and seeing the romance and twin dynamics there. When it's Jude's point of view. 

Rooms 

by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: September 23rd, 2014

Thoughts: I've always loved Lauren Oliver's YA novels like Delirium and If I Stay. This is going towards a more mature audience. It's more of family dramas and ghosts than romance. One thing you guys should know about me is that I don't do ghosts. The only ones I allow in books are those super friendly ones that are actually super funny and idiotic and have no idea they're dead. And romances with ghosts??.....ummm. Yeah I don't know....

Afterworlds 

by Scott Westerfeld

Release Date: September 23rd, 2014

Thoughts: The overall theme is like Scott Westerfeld's dystopian novels. But I'm not sure if this book is a novel inside a novel, or the main character is actually experiencing the things she's writing down about. Maybe I'll check this out if I've got time. So far, it didn't snag my attention, but who knows, maybe it'll be good. :)

Tagline: You thought your way here.

The Jewel (The Lone City #1)

by Amy Ewing

Release Date: September 2nd, 2014

Thoughts: I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this at my school's book club. And the book didn't really disappointed. There was definitely suspension and a cliffhanger ending. But I wasn't really into the romance in this series. At least not yet. I hope there's going to be romance with another guy, because I don't like the guy she falls for. You can find my review HERE. 

Tagline: The power to choose comes with a price.

Ashes to Ashes (Burn for Burn #3)

by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Release Date: September 16th, 2014

Thoughts: I didn't start reading this series yet, but I'm willing to try. :) Because I read Jenny Han's To All the Boys I'ved Loved Before and absolutely adored it! I just can't get enough of Jenny Han's writing after that. So, yep. If I have time though. Because it's so hard to find time right now. 

Tagline: New Year's ended with a bang and Mary, Kat,and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come. 

Illusions of Fate 

by Kiersten White

Release Date: September 9th, 2014

Thoughts: Looking for a supernatural paranormal book to read? Here's one for you! It's deemed Downtown Abbey meets Cassandra Clare! Personally, I'm not much for supernatural but if the romance and the plot is good, I might try it! 

Blackbird (Blackbird #1)

by Anna Carey

Release Date: September 16th, 2014

Thoughts: I've read a few ARC reviews about this people. People either hated it or loved it. The plot and everything definitely sounds intriguing. I would totally read it. But I heard 2nd POV is really hard to get used to or understand. Maybe I could understand it well. I think 2nd POVs are how some fanfictions are written. Yannoe the ones that involves celebrities boys and you? LOL. I don't even read fanfiction. No time in life. I might check this one out though.

Tagline: You don't know who you are, but they do.

Messenger of Fear (Messenger of Fear #1)

by Michael Grant

Release Date: September 23rd, 2014

Thoughts: Did I talk about this before? I have a feeling I've mentioned it in a previous release post. Maybe. I dunno. I'm not a big Michael Grant fan soo.....but the synopsis reminds of the Hunger Games and like The Maze Runner or something. Lately, I've kind of getting tired of dystopia. I'm really into the Fantasy Medieval genre nowadays. So...maybe, maybe not.

Tagline: If you are WICKED, the Messenger will find you.

Sparks Rise (The Darkest Minds #2.5)

by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: September 2nd, 2014

Thoughts: Omg. Haven't thought about this series for awhile! After those cliffhanger endings,I just couldn't bare to suffer the wait, so I just literally tried to forget it! BUT now it's back, the last book is coming! SOON! Sparks Rise is definitely a teaser in my mind. It's saying "Get ready for the conclusion!"

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3)

by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: September 16th, 2014

Thoughts: Here it is! The conclusion! Gotta find time to read this one! The Darkest Minds Never Fade in the Afterlight is now complete!! Can't wait to find out what happens to dear ol' Liam and Ruby. Them two though.

There are SOOO many books this month! I couldn't possibly put them all in here! Well, I could, but I'm absolutely waay too lazy. Plus, guys, I still have homework and tests tomorrow. *cries. 

But let's get on with the topic. 
What are your opinions about these new September releases? 
Good, bad?
Any books you're particularly excited for?

September Author/Book Signings in Bay Area

This post is basically featuring the author appearances in September in the Bay Area only. Sorry to others who don't live by Bay Area, CA. Because I live in the Bay Area, therefore...

Credits to Liana, via Aspiring Writers 2013-2014

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 - Menlo Park, CA

Meet ELLA HOPKINS and SONYA SONES.

Kepler's Books

1010 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, CA 94025

@7pm

I only read one of Sonya Sones' books and it's To Be Perfectly Honest. The review post is coming soon. Yep. But it's a borrowed copy, so even I go, I wouldn't have anything for her to sign. Of course, unless I buy a book. 

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 - San Francisco, CA

Meet MELISSA DELA CRUZ, MICHAEL JOHNSTON, and GRETCHEN MCNEIL

Books Inc.

601 Van Ness Ave. 

San Francisco, CA 94107

@7pm

Errr. I only one I know here is Melissa Dela Cruz. And I haven't even read any of her books. But it'll be fun to check it out. Though I'm sure my mom won't let me. LOL.

Thursday, September 19th, 2013 - Menlo Park, CA

Meet ALLY CARTER.

Kepler's Books

1010 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, CA 94025

@7pm

So this is the one I want to go to the most. OMG. Cuz I love Ally Carter. And her Gallagher Girls series. And The Heist Society series. Even though it's middle grade and all. And for like elementary kids, I still love her plot and I can't wait to finish reading the last book in the Gallagher Girls series. Gah. But I CAN'T GO. Wails! It's on a school night. Driving takes like 32 minutes. But my mom definitely won't take me. And BART takes 2 hours! Omg. Omg. Cries. ;(

Friday, September 20th, 2013 - Menlo Park, CA 

Meet KENDARE BLAKE, ANNA CAREY, and MICHELLE GAGNON.

Kepler's Books

1010 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, CA 94025

@7pm

Anna Carey! Omg. The author of Eve. And of course. I CAN'T GO. It's at the same location. And I certainly can't go to the same place two nights in a row. Everything is taking place at Menlo Park. Nobody heard of Oakland? Or San Leandro? Or Hayward? Castro Valley? Anywhere nearer? I can even take San Francisco. Just San Mateo is so far by BART. 

P.S. I'm only doing the authors I seem to know or read from. So that's why there isn't a whole bunch of them. If any of you guys are available to go, be sure to share it with me. I most likely won't be able to go. :(

Book Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Eve (Eve #1) 
By Anna Carey
Release Date: October 4th, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Paperback ARC, 322 pages
Get a Copy:
            Barnes and Nobles
            Amazon 

Goodreads Summary: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her. 

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Cindy's Review: So this is one of the books I got in Teen Read week. ;) Yes, it is another dystopian genre! I love dystopian. The romance in this one wasn't so bad. Anyways, let's get started!

The Cover: 

From the cover, I get the sense that she is running away from something. The bridge is reminds me of the Golden Gate Bridge even though it doesn't look like it at all. (I live near San Francisco, you see. So I can go there like anytime I want.) One more thing, I love the graduation color. (I had Art last year, and I just can't help but notice that too. LOL)

The Characters:

Eve is the main character in this book. In her society there are not that much humans after this total destruction thing, so the King ordered the girls to make babies. It totally sounds wrong and disgusting, but anyways, that happened. When Eve learned about that she is going to become one of those girls after graduation, she flees to the Wild, to the territory where the King isn't protecting. There, a boy named Caleb finds her and helps her get to her destination.

Caleb reminds me of Alex in Delirium. (But Alex is hotter.) Caleb basically lives in the Wild with a group of other boys. (He isn't born there like Alex was born in the Wilds though.) I don't really like the name Caleb. It just reminds me of Tris's brother from Divergent when he betrayed her at first. Even though he ends up helping Tris, I just can't help it.

The Plot/Concept:

As you know, when a guy meets a girl in a book, they're gonna fall in love. I think it was Eve's first time seeing a boy. LOL So through the book, Caleb and Eve barely escapes the soldiers that the King sent for Eve. When Eve gets to her destination, which is a safe camp for women only, she gets the decision of staying with Caleb in the dangerous Wilds, or staying safe in a safe camp with others.?

Besides the Caleb reminding me of other characters from one of my favorite dystopian books, I think this book reminded me of this one book I read about a slave girl running away from her owner, to a safe camp, also for women. The the whole running away in woods, trying to look for food, the running companion (not Caleb, it's Arden), and the safe camp. I forgot the title of the book though. I think the word Sunset is in it though. 

The Ending:

I told you like a lot in the plot/concept. Like I basically reached the end. If you answer the question I put up, then basically the book ends. So there isn't much I can tell you about the ending without spoiling it. 

The Good: 

Dystopian. I love dystopian. Yesh. Well, I don't really know. I guess this was a good, entertaining read. 

The Bad: 

I mean, this book isn't bad at all, but there are some things I suggest. 

First, since this book  takes place in the future, I think it should mention more about the future things. In the beginning, it seemed like this book was taking place in the future, but towards the middle part of the book, it could be taking place present day, for all I know.

Second, I think I've too much strong romance books that influenced me to this. But I think this romance isn't that strong. It's just one kiss. Or two. Like I don't scent that much jealousy and all that. Like Delirium. ;) Alex is totally to die for. 

Otherwise, I totally loved this book~

Rate: (1-10): 9.2

PS: After doing these book reviews, I feel like I just went a whole rant. LOL. It feels good afterwards. 

Happy Reading~